Monkeypox disease in a breastfeeding infant

Abstract

A previously healthy breastfed 7-month-old infant presented with several papulovesicular lesions, a hyperemic pharynx and a petechial enanthema. His mother had confirmed monkeypox infection with similar skin lesions on the chest wall. Skin-to-skin contact is the most likely mode of transmission of monkeypox.Precautions to limit skin contact during activities such as breastfeeding are recommended if suspected skin lesions are present.

Factors associated with geographic variations in the 2022 monkeypox outbreak; A systematic review

“…All studies included in this review, except two, were assessed as having low risk of bias according to The JBI critical appraisal criteria for case reports [ 20 , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , 31 , 32 , 36 , 37 ]; cohort studies [ 18 ]; cross-sectional studies [ 16 , 17 , [22] , [23] , [24] , 38 , 39 ] and case series [ 19 , 21 , 30 , 34 ]. Two case reports [ 33 , 35 ] were assessed to have a high and moderate risk of bias due to reasons mentioned in Table- 2 .…”

“…This review included two case reports that described two infant patients. The first one was identified in Spain and the source of infection was determined to be a breast feeding mother [ 37 ]. Transmission of monkeypox virus through breast milk is not yet determined [ 37 ], therefore, the likely infection route is thought to be close skin contact with the mother.…”

“…The first one was identified in Spain and the source of infection was determined to be a breast feeding mother [ 37 ]. Transmission of monkeypox virus through breast milk is not yet determined [ 37 ], therefore, the likely infection route is thought to be close skin contact with the mother. The second infant case was reported from the USA and the infection was thought to be household due to contact with a care giver who reported “activities that place him at high risk for MPX exposure” [ 31 ].…”

Monkeypox outbreak in Genoa, Italy: Clinical, laboratory, histopathologic features, management, and outcome of the infected patients

“…MPX viral DNA has been found in the semen of some patients 8 but it is not sure that it is important for the contagion; skin‐to‐skin contact (not only in genito‐anal sites), as happens for other STIs like herpes and scabies, could be enough. Skin‐to‐skin contact has also been considered responsible for MPX transmission from mother to child 32 …”

A review of monkeypox infection during pregnancy

“…There is currently no evidence regarding the risk of viral transmission to the infant during breastfeeding, but a case of monkeypox transmission to a nursing infant was discussed in the literature. That infection was mainly due to the skin‐skin contact with the lesions of the infected mother 13 …”